Laying a patio

[Emmie2016]

Would it be silly for a notice to lay a patio themselves?

Trying to get somebody to lay a small patio is impossible, everyone seems booked up.

We are DIY novices, would it be better to wait or attempt ourselves.

Thanks

[2point]

Do it yourself. Loads of guides on youtube if you need help.

The satisfaction will be huge, then count the cash you have saved(you'll have loads left over even after all the plasters, pain killers and deep heat muscle rub you'll need ;-))

[BevS97]

We’ve been trying to get ours done since last summer. We’ve had three people lined up who have all ended up cancelling or not turning up.

The ground needs levelling so we think it’s too difficult to do ourselves but it would appear if we ever want it done we will have too.

[123]

Laying a patio is easy, laying it well is difficult!

If you are going to do it yourself (and we have laid quite a few), don't skimp on your research, allow three times the amount of time you think it will take and don't compromise. If a slab isn't laid perfect, pick it up and re-set it. You may grumble about it whilst doing it, but getting it right might take you another 30 minutes, fixing it (or living with it) later will be much harder

[123]

Originally Posted by BevS97

We’ve been trying to get ours done since last summer. We’ve had three people lined up who have all ended up cancelling or not turning up.

The ground needs levelling so we think it’s too difficult to do ourselves but it would appear if we ever want it done we will have too.

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Levelling really easy, just dig out to make sure the base is under (but not much) where you want the base to be, then fill with sand (or other easy to spread layer), use a spirit level and a plank of wood to level and compact

[Emmie2016]

Originally Posted by 123

Laying a patio is easy, laying it well is difficult!

If you are going to do it yourself (and we have laid quite a few), don't skimp on your research, allow three times the amount of time you think it will take and don't compromise. If a slab isn't laid perfect, pick it up and re-set it. You may grumble about it whilst doing it, but getting it right might take you another 30 minutes, fixing it (or living with it) later will be much harder

See more...

Thank you for the advice! Well we have plenty of time haha. Is there a time of year that its best to lay a patio?

[Emmie2016]

Originally Posted by BevS97

We’ve been trying to get ours done since last summer. We’ve had three people lined up who have all ended up cancelling or not turning up.

The ground needs levelling so we think it’s too difficult to do ourselves but it would appear if we ever want it done we will have too.

See more...

Seems everyone wants their gardens doing and there aren't enough people to do it. I need a side door in the garage aswell, but struggling to get someone to do that aswell.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Laying a patio is not that hard albeit boring and can be back breaking. However to lay it well is a different matter.

I would do one myself if it was no more than 9 sq metres. Any bigger I would get a professional in.

You need to know about compacting the base, to use road dust or sand to lay it on. Leveling pegs and string lines and what fall is required. Is it draining on to the garden or are you having Aco drains etc.
Big slabs are quicker to lay but harder to get right. Really small ones are a nightmare as they move around as the pattern is being constructed.

I'm not trying to push anyone towads a Pro but a bad patio will look like a dogs dinner sadly.

However a bit of research, 2 people mucking in and taking your time can produce a great result.

The latest stuff to get good joints that don't need constant replacement is Silka Fast Fix all weather jointing compound. Good gear.

Spring and Autumn are the best times to do one. Not waterlogged but also not bone dry either.

[123]

Originally Posted by Emmie2016

Thank you for the advice! Well we have plenty of time haha. Is there a time of year that its best to lay a patio?

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Not a best time of year, but it is far better to do it when you know there will be a few dry days in a row, soggy base just gets churned up as you walk on it and you need to keep levelling.

Also there is nothing worse than fiddling around with a bloody heavy lump of concrete in the pouring rain.

Ideally a warm (but not boiling day) that will stay dry. You'll get up quite a body-warmth doing the work so it doesn't need to be that warm - but its hard to do in a massive paddigton bear duffle coat!

[Emmie2016]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Laying a patio is not that hard albeit boring and can be back breaking. However to lay it well is a different matter.

I would do one myself if it was no more than 9 sq metres. Any bigger I would get a professional in.

You need to know about compacting the base, to use road dust or sand to lay it on. Leveling pegs and string lines and what fall is required. Is it draining on to the garden or are you having Aco drains etc.
Big slabs are quicker to lay but harder to get right. Really small ones are a nightmare as they move around as the pattern is being constructed.

I'm not trying to push anyone towads a Pro but a bad patio will look like a dogs dinner sadly.

However a bit of research, 2 people mucking in and taking your time can produce a great result.

The latest stuff to get good joints that don't need constant replacement is Silka Fast Fix all weather jointing compound. Good gear.

Spring and Autumn are the best times to do one. Not waterlogged but also not bone dry either.

See more...

Thanks Tom! Its not a huge patio, but would be L shaped. I'd rather get a professional to do it, but they're like gold dust at the moment. At the minute we only have slabs right outside the doors, so the garden is a little unusable.

Something to think about anyway!